Crime
IIP-SARS AWARDS N431, 884,094m COMPENSATION TO 100 VICTIMS OF POLICE BRUTALITY
IIP-SARS AWARDS N431, 884,094m COMPENSATION TO 100 VICTIMS OF POLICE BRUTALITY
By: Michael Mike
The Independent Investigative Panel on human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad, and other Units of the Nigeria Police Force (IIP-SARS), sitting in Abuja, has awarded compensations to 100 victims of police brutality, to the tune of about N431, 884,094 million.
The Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Governing Council Dr. Salamatu Hussaini Sulaiman disclosed that the panel heard a total of 294 cases out of which decisions were made on 292. She made this disclosure during the symbolic presentation of cheques to the families and victims of police brutality at the Headquarters of the (NHRC) in Abuja.
She used the opportunity of the award ceremony to express the Council’s appreciation to Nigerians who trusted the Commission by filing petitions to the IIP-SARS, adding that the act shows their belief in the human rights mechanisms of Nigeria
The NHRC chairperson further stated that “as an independent National Human Rights Institution, the Commission will continue to exercise its mandate to promote and protect the human rights of every Nigerian, using various constituted mechanisms under the National Human Rights Commission Act (as amended)”.
She assured that “the Commission will work towards putting in place a permanent mechanism through which we will address cases of police brutality and other associated human rights violations arising from law enforcement and security operations”.
The Panel Chairman, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Suleiman Galadima (CFR), who brought his wealth of experience to bear throughout the panel sitting, expressed appreciation to all who made the IIP-SARS a success.
While urging state governments with similar panels to harmonize their report for appropriate actions, Justice Galadima rtd. advised them to set aside funds for the panels to carry out their functions.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC who believes that there cannot be impunity in Nigeria forever expressed delight that the Commission was able to get justice for victims of police brutality.
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He thanked the Buhari-led administration for making funds available for payment of compensation saying “the Commission laboured day and night to ensure that there is some sort of closure for the victims and their families”.
Stressing the need for accountability for human rights violations, the learned silk said, “The ceremony today is to tell you that we have acknowledged the violation of your rights and we are putting this forward in good faith to say we are sorry”.
“The amount paid today will not solve all the problems but to ensure that where there is a violation of rights, there must be a remedy.”
“This is a clear indication that we should not take the laws into our hands. The course of Justice may be slow, but surely we will get there and what happened today is an indication that Nigeria will be better” he affirmed.
Secretary of the panel and the Senior Human Rights Adviser to the Executive Secretary, Mr. Hillary Ogbonna, disclosed that allegations in the petitions that were determined, bordered on extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, cruel inhuman and degrading treatment by police officers, prolonged detention, abuse of power, as well as non-payment of judgment debts.
He lamented that some of the victims died before the panel could conclude its investigations that spanned for a period of two years.
“It is quite unfortunate that some of the petitioners are no more. Some of them died within the last eight months”. He said, ” We are making arrangements with their families and lawyers to ensure that they receive their compensations”.
On what happens to the indicted police officers, the Panel Secretary has this to say: “some of you may be wondering, what about the police personnel who perpetrated these violations? The panel has also made recommendations on what should be done to some indicted police officers. The report will soon be submitted to the appropriate authorities”.
IIP-SARS AWARDS N431, 884,094m COMPENSATION TO 100 VICTIMS OF POLICE BRUTALITY
Nine Injured as Passenger Boat Catches Fire in Lagos
By: Zagazola Makama
At least nine passengers sustained varying degrees of burns after a passenger boat operated by Lagos Ferry Services caught fire at the Ipakodo Boat Terminal in Ikorodu, Lagos.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident, which occurred on Wednesday, April 3, at about 6:45 a.m., involved a boat with the inscription “Igbega Eko” and had 19 passengers on board at the time of the explosion.
The Operations Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority, Mr. Ibrahim Bidemi, reported the incident at the Marine Police Base in Ipakodo around 1:00 p.m. on Thursday.
According to police sources, all nine injured passengers were rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Eight of the victims were treated and discharged, while one remains hospitalized in stable condition.
A team of marine police operatives visited the scene of the incident, as well as the hospital, where the remaining victim was inspected and photographed.
While no lives were lost, the cause of the explosion and the estimated value of the property destroyed are yet to be determined.
Nine Injured as Passenger Boat Catches Fire in Lagos
Man Arrested for Allegedly Beating Daughter to Death, Burying Her in Shallow Grave in Lagos
By: Zagazola Makama
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a man, Kamoru Ojo, for allegedly murdering his 27-year-old daughter and secretly burying her in a shallow grave within their residence at Afromedia, Ojo area of the state.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on March 26, but was reported to the Okokomaiko Police Division on April 3, 2025, at about 8:00 a.m., following a distress call.
The victim, identified as Shakirat Ojo, was allegedly beaten to death by her father at No. 31 Oshinlemo Street, Afromedia, and subsequently buried in the compound.
Following the report, a team of homicide and crime scene detectives visited the location. The scene was documented, and the body was exhumed and taken to a public morgue for autopsy.
The suspect has since been arrested as investigations continue to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
Man Arrested for Allegedly Beating Daughter to Death, Burying Her in Shallow Grave in Lagos
Armed Bandits Kill One in Attack on Commercial Vehicle in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
On April 3, 2025, at approximately 1130 hours, a group of armed bandits riding motorcycles, opened fire on a commercial vehicle traveling from Kebbi to Sokoto.
The attack resulted in the death of one Dan Gande Usman, who was shot in the head. The victim succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital.
In response to the attack, troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA were deployed to the area to ensure sanity.
Armed Bandits Kill One in Attack on Commercial Vehicle in Sokoto
Nine Injured as Passenger Boat Catches Fire in Lagos
Man Arrested for Allegedly Beating Daughter to Death, Burying Her in Shallow Grave in Lagos
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